Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) purpurea
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) purpurea on the outer side of Day Reef, an outer reef near Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) purpurea at Hicks Reef, an outer reef near Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) purpurea at Hicks Reef, an outer reef near Lizard Island. Enlarge photo to see the five pairs of large, bare, triangular radial shields on the disc.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Ophiuroidea
Order
Ophiurida
Family
Ophiotrichidae
Genus
Ophiothrix
Species
Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) purpurea
Colours
Distinguishing features
A moderately large, very spiky brittlestar usually found in gorgonians. Disc armed with long banded spines apart from the large radial shields which are bare. Very long arm spines, those of each segment widely spaced from the next. Arms generally banded and with a dark midline that can be bordered with paler lines. Usually shades of red to purple.
Size
- Up to 1 cm (disc diameter (approximately))
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
